LAUSD Serving Up Food During Summer Break

Food That’s In When School Is Out: LAUSD to Provide Students with FREE Meals

LOS ANGELES (June 25, 2012) – Officials from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Food Services Division announced today its summer meal services program. The District is working towards making sure that no students go hungry when schools close for the summer. More than 490,000 students in LAUSD qualify for free or reduced-price meals during the school year, but many do not get enough to eat when school is out.

The LAUSD’s Food Services Division, in collaboration with the Beyond the Bell Branch, will operate Summer Food Service Programs at select schools (see attached current list). Students between the ages of one and 18 may receive meals at no cost.

“The youth in our schools need proper, healthy meals in and out of school,” said LAUSD Superintendent Dr. John Deasy. “Our summer meals program is vital to providing our students the nourishment they need to continue to grow and learn through good nutrition during the summer months.”

The Summer Food Service Program is a federally funded program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and administered by the California Department of Education. Summer programs are located at approved sites that are either in low-income areas, or serve a group of children, who are mostly low-income.

“Many of our students, who rely on school breakfast and lunch during the school year cannot continue to grow and develop properly during the summer if they do not receive the proper nutrition. That’s where we come in, by providing nutritious meals to keep kids nourished and healthy during the long summer months,” said Interim Food Services Director David Binkle.

For most participating schools, the summer meal service program runs from June 26 through August 3. At some participating high schools, the program begins July 2 and ends August 3. LAUSD, the city of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County have partnered to provide information to the public via “211 LA County.” By making a 211 call, parents and students can find the location closest to them and the available serving times.

For more information about the Summer Food Program including a list of participating schools, contact the LAUSD Food Services Division at 213-241-3366, or call 211 to find the nearest site.